A Short History of Guanajuato, Mexico: Nestled in the mountain of the Sierra de Guanajuato is the picturesque city of Guanajuato. Its name originates from the word Quanaz-juato which, in the indigenous dialect of the region, meant 'Place of the Frogs' - because indigenous tribes thought the place was fit only for frogs!
Little could they have known that the Spanish would later find rich veins of silver and extract from them vast fortunes to build a magnificent city and such beautiful churches such as La Valenciana, built between 1765 and 1786. Today, the mines are still among the richest in the world.
Guanajuato is a city of incredible charm, as is almost immediately obvious as entering by the way of the subterranean main street. The street follows the original course of the Guanajuato river running beneath the city for almost three kilometers. Guanajuato is a lost nugget in the middle of Mexico and where you find the Mexican people, living a very humble, easy going and neighborly life style, and where time means nothing.
Guanajuato- Some Sites and Doings: To navigate the city, you have to go on foot, or take a taxi which are everywhere. There are hundreds of callejones (alleyways), the most famous of which is Callejon del Beso (Alley of the Kiss).
The local romantic legend says this callejon is so narrow that lovers each standing on a balcony on either side of the alley, can reach across the alley and exchange a kiss.
The alleyways are a part of the route of the popular tradition of the Callejoneadas, when student choral groups stroll the alleyways of Guanajuato at night, strumming their guitars and serenading the local populous.
Guanajuato is hosted to the International Cervantino Festival, named after Miguel de Cervantes, author of 'Don Quijote'. Artist from around the world perform and recitals concerts, plays, ballet, modern dance, opera, and art exhibits.
Every inch in the Theater Juarez in the main plaza is carved, painted, sculpted or embossed in beautiful, truly awe-inspiring display of art of the period, built in 1903.
Guanajuato and It's Surroundings: Guanajuato is located in the middle of Mexico, approximately 5 hours by car from the Pacific Ocean or the Golf of Mexico, two hours from Guadalajara and 4 hours from Mexico City. The toll roads which are fast, are almost like the freeways in the USA. The old roads are rough, curvy, pot holed and slow due to trucks. However, this is the best way to see the very small towns of the surrounding area. Guanajuato is within an hours drive from Zacatecas, Leon, Irapuato, Celaya, Salamanca, San Miguel de Allende, Dolores Hidalgo. These towns, as well as Guanajuato, are historical to Mexican history and each has an ambiance all its own.
The International airport is located in Leon, 20 minutes drive time.
The altitude of Guanajuato es 6,583 feet. Guanajuato is also knows for its restaurant, which are very plentiful throughout the town and all at very reasonable prices.
Guanajuato is the home of the Universidad de Guanajuato. One of the main Universities in Mexico.
Viva Guanajuato!
